Estimated Pit Window: Every 34-38 laps, based on fuel mileage
Notes: This is the third time this season that Goodyear has brought this combination of left- and right-side tires to the track . . . this tire set-up was previously run by teams at both Las Vegas and Bristol in March . . . as on all ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Pocono . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.

Goodyear Quote -- Mark Keto, Lead Engineer, Stock Car Racing: "This is the same set-up Cup teams have already raced at Las Vegas and Bristol, so teams should have some notes to work from. The differences between the combination we ran at Pocono last year and this year's tire package include a new and improved left-side construction and slightly tougher compounds on both sides."(Goodyear PR)(6-8-2006)

AWARDS/BONUS INFO

The NASCAR Nextel Cup Leader Bonus is $50,000 at Pocono for leading the points and winning the race. The $360,000 annual award is paid at $10,000 per race to the point leader at the end of each event if the driver is also the winner. The award increases by $10,000 each week the it goes unclaimed. If the point leader is not the race winner at the end of the year, the balance of the award is distributed among the top-10 finishers in the drivers point standings.
2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Leader Bonus Winners:
#48-Jimmie Johnson, Las Vegas, 3/12/2006, $30,000
#48-Jimmie Johnson, Talladega, 5/1/2006, $60,000
(6-4-2006)

Bank of America Card Service Mid-Race Leader Award: The Bank of America Card Service Mid-Race Leader Award is worth $10,000 to any eligible NASCAR Nextel Cup driver who leads a race at the halfway mark and displays the Bank of America Card Service Mid-Race Leader Award decal on their race car. An additional $5,000 is earned if that driver also wins the race. If the race-win bonus is not earned, the $5,000 rolls into the next week’s award. Eligible drivers earn two points for winning the Bank of America Card Service Mid-Race Leader Award and another point if they also go on to win the race. The driver who earns the most points during the season will win the Bank of America Card Service Mid-Race Leader Award Championship.Winners for 2006 so far:
Daytona: Dale Earnhardt Jr., $10,000
California: Greg Biffle, $10,000
Las Vegas: Matt Kenseth, $10,000
Atlanta: Tony Stewart, $10,000
Bristol: Tony Stewart, $10,000
Martinsville: Tony Stewart, $40,000*
Texas: Matt Kenseth, $10,000
Phoenix: Mark Martin, $10,000
Talladega: Jeff Gordon, $10,000
Richmond: Dale Earnhardt Jr., $30,000*
Darlington, Matt Kenseth, $10,000
Charlotte: Kasey Kahne, $30,000*
Dover: Matt Kenseth, $20,000*
(* won race and bonus)Bonus for leading at halfway and winning at Pocono: $10,000

NOTE: the award goes to the eligible driver leading on the 5th consecutive green lap following a mid-race caution if one occurs.
2 points for leading the most laps, 1 points for winning also
#48-Jimmie Johnson and #29-Kevin Harvick are not on the program.
Capital One does Lowe's Credit card and doesn't wish to have MBNA on the #48
The #29 has the GM Card (Household Bank) as an associate sponsor on the B-post.Bank of America Card Service Mid-Race Leader Award Standings:
#17-Matt Kenseth, 9
#20-Tony Stewart, 7
#8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 5
#9-Kasey Kahne, 3
#16-Greg Biffle, 2
#6-Mark Martin, 2
#24-Jeff Gordon, 2
(6-4-2006)

In-Car Audio SIte:Fans Can Online(NASCAR Online)
looks like this is all that there is out there now....

QUALIFYING, PRACTICE and RESULTSnews and links

Hamlin wins first career race: #11-Denny Hamlin won the Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway for his first win of his 21 race career. Hamlin led the most laps and early in the race, had a rear tire go down and spun thru the grass, but stayed on the lead lap and the crew fixed the car on multiple pit stops, slowly moving up the order until taking the lead again on lap 177, surviving a late caution and red flag to win. #2-Kurt Busch was 2nd followed by #20-Tony Stewart, #25-Brian Vickers and #17-Matt Kenseth. Points leader #48-Jimmie Johnson ran mid pack most of the day but was able to soldier on to a 10th place finish, dropping his points lead over #17-Matt Kenseth to 48 points. Hamlin also moved up 2 spots in the Drivers Points and is now in the top-10 and The Chase. #24-Jeff Gordon lost his brakes on lap 190 and slammed into the wall, but walked away ok. BUT Gordon dropped out of the top-10 and is currently out of the Chase. There were 25 lead changes among 13 drivers and 7 cautions for 28 laps.Race Results on my Pocono Race Results/Awards Page.Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after Pocono page.(6-11-2006)

Pocono Race Notes:
• Denny Hamlin won the Pocono 500, scoring his first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup victory in his 21st career start. This
was Hamlin’s first race at Pocono.
• Hamlin became the first rookie to win a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race since Kyle Busch won at Phoenix in
November 2005.
• Hamlin became the ninth different race winner in 2006. He scored his sixth top-10 finish in 14 races this season.
Hamlin has posted five straight top-15 finishes.
• Hamlin is the 30th first-time race winner since 1994. There has been at least one first-time race winner in 12 of the
last 13 years (since 1994). There was no first-time race winner in 2004.
• This is the third time in 2006 that a race was won from the Bud Pole starting position. Kasey Kahne won two races
from the Bud Pole (Texas and Atlanta).
• This marked the 10th race at Pocono to be won from the Bud Pole.
• Hamlin led the most laps for the first time in his career.
• Race winner Hamlin led six times for 83 laps, including the final 24 laps.
• This was team owner Joe Gibb’s 49th NASCAR NEXTEL Cup victory. Gibbs has scored his fifth NASCAR
NEXTEL Cup victories at Pocono Raceway.
• Joe Gibbs Racing has won at least one race each season 1993-2006, 14 consecutive years.Notebook Items
• This is the 182nd victory [I have 181 on my Wins by Number Chart] by a #11 car in NASCAR history. The last time the #11 won was with Bill Elliott in the Junior Johnson-owned Ford in September 1994 at Darlington.
• Kurt Busch (second) scored his third top-10 and second top-five finish in 2006. It is his fifth top-five finish in 11 races at Pocono
Raceway.
• Tony Stewart (third) scored his eighth top-10 finish in 14 races in 2006. It is his first top-10 finish in the last four races. Stewart
climbed from fifth to fourth in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings. Stewart has scored 10 top-10 finishes in 15 races at
Pocono Raceway.
• Brian Vickers (fourth) scored his fourth top-10 finish of 2006 and his second top-10 finish in five races at Pocono.
• Matt Kenseth (fifth) scored his 10th top-10 finish in 14 races in 2006. It is his ninth top-five finish in 2006. Kenseth has scored
six top-10 finishes in 13 races at Pocono Raceway. He remained second in the point standings. One year ago he ranked 24th
after 14 races.
• Four races ago Greg Biffle was 232 points behind 10th. With his sixth-place finish, Biffle is now 27 points behind 10th and is
just two points behind 11th-place Jeff Gordon. He has climbed from 23rd to 12th in points since Talladega. After 14 races in
2005, he ranked second in the point standings. Biffle has scored five straight top-10 finishes, tying the longest top-10 streak of
his career set one year ago between August and September.
• Jeff Burton (ninth) has climbed from 21st to 7th in the point standings since Martinsville. One year ago he ranked 17th in the
standings after 14 races. Burton has scored four straight top-10 finishes, extending a streak that began at Darlington.
• Jimmie Johnson (10th) remained first in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings and is now just 48 points ahead of
second-place Matt Kenseth. Johnson has lost 61 points of his lead in the last two races. Johnson has scored top-15 finishes in 13
of the 14 races in 2006.
• Mark Martin (17th) failed to score a top-15 finish for just the second time in 2006.
• At least one Raybestos Rookie-of-the Year contender has scored a top-15 finish in every race this season.
• Dave Blaney (27th) extended a 32-race streak of running at the finish - the longest current streak.(NASCAR Statistical Services)(6-11-2006)

Rumblings - Pocono: Denny Hamlin did a NASCAR version of a spin and win today and captured his first ever NEXTEL Cup victory at Pocono Raceway in the Pocono 500. Hamlin led all but one lap of the first 51 when he lost a left rear tire going into the tunnel turn. After managing to keep it off both walls, his crew did yeoman's work both keeping that car on the lead lap and keeping it
fast and that was all he needed as he went on to register a dominant victory. Denny led 6 times for 83 laps and posted a 1.328 margin of victory. It was the third win this season from the pole (Kasey Kahne's done it twice), the 9th different winner of the season, and the 170th different driver to capture a win in NASCAR's top division. Win #49 for Joe Gibbs Racing was worth $220,100 from the over $4.8M in posted awards. All kindsa pit problems today.....speeding penalties, cars falling off jacks. A sharp contrast from the FedEx Crew.....
Kurt Busch (2nd) had his best finish since he won at Bristol in March.
Tony Stewart (3rd) wins the "guttin' it out award" this weekend.
Tony Raines (16th) had his best finish since he was 13th at Homestead in November of 2003! (only 21 races)
STREAKIN....Greg Biffle has 5 Top-10's in a row.
Matt Kenseth has 8 Top-10's in the last 9 races.
Jeff Burton has 8 Top-10's in the last 9 races.
Jimmie Johnson has 6 Top-10's in the last 7 races.
This Week's Elevator....UP: Operator of the Week is Clint Bowyer (+21) followed by Matt Kenseth (+20). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Jeff Gordon (-28 ), followed by Sterling Marlin (-26), and Casey Mears (-21). A rather slow day in the "Shaft"
Jimmie Johnson's lead is now down to 48 markers after today. Jeff Gordon falls below the "Stayin' Alive" line as winner Denny Hamlin moves into the select company of the "Chase". Scott Riggs (25th to 21st) and Brian Vickers (26th to 22nd) made the best advances today, while Jeff Green (22nd to 26th) went in the opposite direction.(Stock Car Fans)(6-11-2006)

Cautions: 7 for 28 laps

RED FLAG for SAFER repair at 5:56pm/et until 6:09pm/etCaution 7 - Laps 192 - 195: #24-Gordon lost his brake and slammed into the turn 1 wall, hitting hard on the driver side, but walked away ok.Caution 6 - Laps 142 - 145: #01-Nemechek stops on the track, out of gasCaution 5 - Laps 70 - 73: #45-Petty lost a right front tire, and slammed the turn 2 wall, with one of his wheels/tires rolling down the track.Caution 4 - Laps 63 - 66: #21-Scharder lost a left rear tire, and left debris on the the track.Caution 3 - Laps 52 - 57: #11-Hamlin lost a left rear tire, and spun thru the grass in turn 2, damage to the left rear.Caution 2 - Laps 22 - 24: #41-Sorenson, came up the track in turn 2 and smacked the wall, then drove thru the grass, #18-Yeley tried to make it to the pit, slammed on the brakes and blew a right front tire.Caution 1 - Laps 2 - 4: #10-Riggs got loose and got into #42-Mears, Mears backed into the turn 3 wall.

Who got a lap back on each caution at Pocono in the Lucky Dog Pack: (and their finish)Caution 7: no lucky dog when 10 laps or less are leftCaution 6: #26-McMurray, 18thCaution 5: #21-Schrader, 30thCaution 4: #7-Gordon [still 14 laps down], 35thCaution 3: #41-Sorenson, 36thCaution 2: none, no one a lap down, that is on the trackCaution 1: none, no one a lap down.

See past races, rules, news and who has used the most Lucky Dog passes on myLucky Dog page.

RACE/PIT NOTES: (as noted heard on TV or Radio)
---- on lap 183, #66-Green slowed on the track, but coasted into the pits, possible broken axle
---- during the green flag pit stops on lap 169, #61-Chaffin got sideways on pit road when his brakes locked up.
---- on his green flag pit stop, #31-Burton was caught speeding exiting pit road and has to make a pass thru penalty.
---- with all the green flag pit stops, many cars are out of sequnce, green flag stops started around lap 164.
---- on lap 161, #43-Labonte made an unschuled pit stop for a flat tire.
---- on lap 146, #1-Truex Jr. made an sunscheduled pit stop for a flat tire.
---- green flag pit stops were done around laps 130-138
---- on lap 120, #44-Labonte parked the car after smacking the wall.
---- on lap 113, #9-Kahne made an unscheduled pit stop for a right rear flat tire.
---- #48-Johnson was caught speeding on pit road and had to make pass thru penalty on lap 105.
---- during green flag pit stops on lap 95 range, #99-Edwards fell off the jack and ended up doing an 86 second pit stop; #9-Kahne surged forward and fell off the jack.
---- #5-Busch and #25-Vickers were caught speeding on pit road and had to make pass thru penalties.
---- #25-Vickers, #16-Biffle and #5-Busch made pit stops on lap 94
---- #41-Sorenson and #8-Earnahrdt Jr. made pit stops on lap 92
---- #11-Hamlin made an early pit stop during the 4th caution and will have to start at the rear of the field.
---- during the 3rd caution, all the drivers came in to pit, #11-Hamlin came in a couple times for repairs to the car, #16-Biffle's crew continued to make repairs to his brakes.
---- around lap 47, #24-Gordon came up the track in the tunnel turn, turn 2, and slapped the wall, but drove on and didn't lose a position.
---- around lap 38, #7-Gordon came back on the track after the team replaced the radiator, he is 15 laps down
---- #16-Biffle has brake problems, the crew was under the hood during the 2nd caution pit stops.
---- all the drivers came in during the 2nd caution to pit.
---- on lap 18, #14-Marlin possibly lost an engine and went to the garage.
---- around lap 7, someone smacked the turn 2 wall, but drove on.
---- #55-Waltrip came in twice during the 1st caution, the second time for catch can man not engaging the car. #32-Kvapil was in to pit for front end damage after going thru the grass to avoid the Mears wreck.
---- green flag at 2:20pm/et
---- command to start engines at 2:08pm/et by 5 Generals
---- To The Back [0]:

Hamlin wins pole at Pocono: #11-Denny Hamlin won the Budweiser Pole for the Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway with a speed of 169.638mph for his 1st pole of 2006 and 2nd of his career [last November at Phoenix]. Starting on the outside pole is #2-Kurt Busch, followed by #9-Kasey Kahne, #25-Brians Vickers and #31-Jeff Burton. #44-Terry Labonte qualified 39th. The non-top 35 teams that made the race were: #40-Stremme, #78-Spencer, #55-Waltrip, #61-Chaffin, #32-Kvapil, #44-Labonte, #49-Lepage and #51-Garvey. Missing the race were: #4-Wimmer, #34-Sacks, #95-Barrett, #74-Cope and #72-Sherman. See the qualifying results on my Pocono Starting Grid/Qualifying Page.(6-9-2006)

Pocono Qualifying Notes:
• Denny Hamlin won the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Bud Pole for the Pocono 500, lapping Pocono Raceway in 53.054 seconds at 169.638 mph. Kasey Kahne holds the track-qualifying record of 52.164 seconds, 172.533 mph - set June 11, 2004.
• This is Hamlin’s second career Bud Pole in 21 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races. His other Bud Pole came at Phoenix in November 2005. Hamlin posted his ninth top-10 start in 2006, including each of the last five races. It is his first qualifying attempt at Pocono.
• Hamlin became the 10th different Bud Pole winner this season.
• Hamlin also became the 19th different Bud Pole winner in the past 20 races at Pocono. Qualifying was canceled in June 2002 due to weather.
• A Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year contender has won a Bud Pole in each of the past 11 seasons (1996-2006). Hamlin actually posted his first Bud Pole last season, before his official rookie year.
• Kurt Busch posted the second-quickest qualifying lap of 53.102 seconds, 169.485 mph – and will join Hamlin on the front row for the Pocono 500. This is Busch’s 11th top-10 start this season and his best since he won the Bud Pole at California in the second race of 2006. It is his sixth top-10 start and his third consecutive second-place start in 11 races at Pocono.
• This is the fourth Bud Pole for Chevrolet in 2006. Dodge has six Bud Poles and Ford has three. Qualifying was canceled at Bristol.
• Kasey Kahne (third) posted his eighth top-10 start in 2006 and his second in five races at Pocono. It is his first top-10 start here since he won the Bud Pole in June 2004.
• Brian Vickers (fourth) has posted a top-10 start in all five of his appearances at Pocono. It is his fourth top-10 start this season.
• Jeff Burton (fifth) posted his fifth top-10 start of 2006 but his first since Atlanta (Race No. 4). It is his seventh top-10 start in 25 races at Pocono and his first since he started eighth in three straight races from July 1999 through July 2001.(NASCAR Statistical Services)(6-9-2006)

Ramblings - Pocono: It was Denny Hamlin today at Pocono Raceway as he took his first Bud Pole of the season for Sunday's Pocono 500. It was Hamlin's second career top-spot (he captured the pole at Phoenix last November) and makes him the 10th qualifier for next February's Budweiser Shootout at Daytona (course he was in already as defending Champion of that event).
Kurt Busch will join Hamlin on the front-row. This is his best starting spot since he had the pole at California in February.
Jeff Burton (5th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 3rd at Atlanta in March.
Welcome Back Jimmy Spencer (34th). Jimmy will make his first Cup start of the season this week in the #78 car.
STREAKIN....Denny Hamlin has 5 Top-10 starts in a row.
Greg Biffle has 12 Top-10 starts in the last 13 races.
Kasey Kahne has 4 Top-10 starts in the last 5 races.(Stock Car Fans)(6-9-2006)

Qualifying Order List for the Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway is up, 48 drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, #95-Stanton Barrett is due out first on Friday, June 9th at 3:40pm/et on Speed/MRN/XM, last driver due out is #42-Casey Mears. For the Qualifying order, see my Pocono Qualifying/Grid Page.(6-9-2006)

The Top 35 Owners Points is now set for Pocono:
no moves into or out of the top-35 in owners points
34) #22-Blaney/Bill Davis +182 points ahead of 36th
33) #14-Marlin/Nelson Bowers +180
35) #19-Mayfield/Evernham +167these drivers/teams are out of the Top 35 and would need to get in the races via speed only
36) #4-Wimmer/Larry McClure -167 points behind 35th
37) #55-Waltrip/Doug Bawel -182
39) #32-Kvapil/Cal Wells -182
38) #40-Stremme/Felix Sabates -208
Current owners [NOT drivers points] points are used for the remainder of the season, the points and positions will fluctuate each week and settle as the season progresses.
For drivers/owners points, see my Jayski's Drivers/Owners Points after Dover Page.(6-4-2006)

Entry List for the Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway is up, 48 drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including these drivers who need to get in on speed and are NOT in a 2006 Top-35 Owners Points Position:
#4-Scott Wimmer
#32-Travis Kvapil
#34-Greg Sacks
#40-David Stremme
#44-Terry Labonte [CH]
#49-Kevin Lepage
#51-Mike Garvey
#55-Michael Waltrip
#61-Chad Chaffin
#72-Brent Sherman
#74-Derrike Cope
#78-Jimmy Spencer
#95-Stanton Barrett
[CH] has champ prov to use if needed
If qualifying is rained out, the making the race would be: #'s 44,4,55,32,40,61,49,78
missing the race would be #'s: 95,34,74,51,72.
see entry list on Jayski's Pocono Entry List Page.
(6-5-2006)

Determining Race Line-Ups - Top 35 Guarantee: At the start of the 2005 seaspn, NASCAR instituted a new procedure for establishing the starting race field in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series [NNCS]. NASCAR revamped the system by simplifying the procedure with teams no longer accruing provisionals throughout the season to gain entry into the starting fields. While starting positions one through 42 in the NNCS still will be determined by qualifying speed, the new system will assure the highest-ranked 35 positions of the NNCS OWNER [not Driver] championship points that have entered the event prior to the entry deadline [usually 13 days before the day of the race] one of those starting positions in the field, providing they have made an attempt to qualify [which usually means the team at least practiced and made an effort to qualify].
The remaining seven positions [36-42] will be assigned to those drivers with the fastest qualifying speeds whose car owners are not among the top 35. The final starting position [43rd] – the champion’s provisional – can be utilized by a car owner whose driver is a current or past NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion who participated as a driver during the current of previous season and was entered in the event for that owner in that car prior to the entry deadline.
If there is more than one series champion vying for the position, it will be given to the most recent series champion. If the final provisional starting position – 43rd in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup – is not filled by a current or past series champion, it will be assigned to the next eligible car owner according to qualifying results.
Through the first five races of the season for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, the top 35 in the NNCS of the previous owner championship points entered in the event prior to the entry deadline will be assured one of the 42 starting positions in the field, provided they have made an attempt to qualify. From the sixth race on, the current owner championship points will be used to determine the top 35 each race week. In the event that conditions prevent qualifying from being run, starting positions will be assigned according to the respective series’ current Rule Book.(NASCAR PR)Simple: so the field is set by speed to where the 7th fastest non-top 35 driver is on speed. The any drivers in the top35 of OWNERS [not drivers points] are placed to the 42nd spot. The 43rd spot is used for the most recent past Cup champion NOT already in the field from being in the top-35 in owners points or one of the seven no top-35. If their is not past champ for the 43rd spot, it goes to the next fastest [8th fastest driver]

If it is the first 5 races of the season, the previous season OWNERS points are used:

#1) - Previous season Owner Points [position 1-35]
#2) - Race winners from the previous and current season not already in the field
#3) - Past Nextel Cup Champions not in by 1 or 2
#4) - Current season Owner Points [Top 35][not in by rules 1-3]
#5) - Current season race attempts ties broken by current owners points standings [not in by rules 1-4]After the 5th race of the season, the current season OWNERS points are used:
#1) - First 35 by current Owner Points
#2) - Last Years Cup Champ or the Event Champion if not already in the field
#3) - Car Owners whose team has won in the previous and current season not already in the field
#4) - Drivers who have won in the previous and current season not already in the field
#5) - Past Nextel Cup Champions not in by 1 thru 4
#6) - Qualifying Attempts with Owners points as the tie breaker
#7) - Qualifying Order Position
(all above apply as long as the team was entered by the entry deadline - usually 7-13 days before the race)

How to Calculate Track Speeds: use the formula Speed = Distance divided by Time. Distance is Track Length, and Lap Time into Hours. Once hour is 3600 seconds, so the calculation for a 48 second lap at Daytona(2.5 miles) would be: Speed = 2.5 x (3600/48), = 2.5 x 75 = 187.500mph. For a 19 second lap at Bristol(.533 miles): Speed = .533 x (3600/19), = .533 x 189.474 = a speed of 100.990mph

How to break a tie during qualifying? (same speed/time) When drivers are tied for a starting spot during qualifying, it is broken by owners points standings(not drivers).

TRACK RECORDS, NOTES, RULES and NEWS

Who's Hot - Pocono Raceway:
• Denny Hamlin has posted four straight top-10 starts and four straight top-15 finishes.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. has scored four straight top-15 finishes.
• Greg Biffle has scored top-10 finishes in each of his last four races. Four races ago Biffle was 232 points behind 10th. After his eighth-place finish at Dover he is now 85 points behind 10th, a gain of 147 points on 10th in those four races.
• Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson have each won three races in 2006, the most of all drivers.
• Matt Kenseth is the only driver to score eight top-five finishes in the 13 races this season, including the last three races.
• Jimmie Johnson is the only driver to score 10 top-10 finishes in the first 13 races of 2006.
• Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson have each scored top-15 finishes in 12 of the 13 races in 2006.
• Greg Biffle is the only driver to lead at least one lap in 11 of the 13 races this season.
• Matt Kenseth ranks second in the point standings after Dover. After 13 races one year ago, he ranked 22nd.
• Jeff Burton has climbed from 21st to 7th in the point standings since Martinsville. In those seven races he scored six top-10 finishes and all seven were top-15s. One year ago he ranked 16th.(NASCAR Statistical Services)(6-5-2006)

Heading to Pocono Raceway
• Kurt Busch started second in both races at Pocono in 2006.
• Brian Vickers has four starts of eighth or better in his four races at Pocono.
• Carl Edwards posted a victory in this race one year ago. He scored top-five finishes in his two races at Pocono in 2005.
• Mark Martin has scored three straight top-10 finishes at Pocono, the longest current streak among active drivers.
• Jimmie Johnson has posted a top-15 finish in all eight of his races at Pocono.
• There have been 17 different Bud Pole winners in the 18 races at Pocono since 1997. Qualifying was rained out in June
2002.
• Mark Martin leads all drivers scoring 19 top-five and 27 top-10 finishes at Pocono, the most among all drivers in Pocono
history.
• Three of the last seven races at Pocono have been won from the front row. Five of the last seven races at Pocono were won
from a top-five starting position.
• All three manufacturers’ have scored a victory in the last three years at Pocono.
• The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Leader bonus will be worth $50,000 at Pocono Raceway.(NASCAR Statistical Services)(6-4-2006)

Track Qualifying Record: Kasey Kahne, June 2004, 172.533mph

June 2005 Pole Sitter: #15-Michael Waltrip, 169.052, finished 5th

July 2005 Pole Sitter: #42-Jamie McMurray, 168.761, finished 11th

Worst Starting Spot to Win: Carl Edwards, June 2005, started 29th

Up front is best at Pocono: In the 56 Cup races held at Pocono the winner has started in the front row 18 times and the top ten 40 times.

June 2005 Race Winner: #99-Carl Edwards, 129.177mph, started 29th

July 2005 Race Winner: #97-Kurt Busch, 125.283mph, started 2nd

1st Race Record: Alan Kulwicki, June 1992, 144.023mph

2nd Race Record: Rusty Wallace, July 1996, 144.892

Slowest Race Record: Jimmie Johnson, June 2004, 112.129mph

Most Wins: 5 - Bill Elliott

Most Poles: 5 - Bill Elliott, Ken Schrader

Most Top 5s: 19 - Mark Martin

Most Top 10s: 27 - Mark Martin

Oldest Winner: Harry Gant, 50 years, 5 months, 7 days, 6/17/90

Youngest Winner: Jeff Gordon, 24 years, 10 months, 12 days, 6/16/1996

Most Lead Changes: 56 - 7/30/79

Fewest Lead Changes: 10 - 7/26/1998

Most Leaders: 16, Three times, most recently 6/13/2004

Fewest Leaders: 4 - Twice, most recently, 6/9/1985

Most Cautions: 13 - 6/17/90 and 7/24/05

Fewest Cautions: 1 - 7/30/78

Most Caution Laps: 57, 6/13/04

Few Caution Laps: 3, 7/30/78

Most Finishers on a lead lap: 26, 7/28/02 and 7/24/05

Fewest Finishers on a lead lap: 2 - twice, most recently 6/6/82

Most Running at the Finish: 39, 7/29/2001

Fewest Running at the Finish: 18, 7/25/1982

Most Laps Led: 164, Jeff Gordon, 7/26/1998

Fewest Laps Led by a Race Winner: 4, Bobby Labonte, 7/29/2001

Most Wins by Manufacturer: 20 - Chevy

Races won from starting pos 1: 10 [of 56 races] 17.9%

Races won from starting pos 2: 8

Races won from starting pos 3: 8

Races won from starting pos 4: 7

Races won from starting pos 5: 3

Races won from starting pos 6: 1

Races won from starting pos 7: 1

Races won from starting pos 8: 2

Races won from starting pos 10: 1

Races won from starting pos 11: 3

Races won from starting pos 12: 1

Races won from starting pos 13: 3

Races won from starting pos 14: 2

Races won from starting pos 15: 1

Races won from starting pos 16: 2

Races won from starting pos 22: 1

Races won from starting pos 23: 1

Races won from starting pos 27: 1

Races won from starting pos 29: 1

Races won from the pole: 10 of 56 events (17.9%)

Races won from in top 10: 40 of 56 events (71.4%)

Races won from outside top 10: 16 of 56 events (28.6%)

Pocono Raceway Nuggets:Starting Up Front is Important at Pocono Raceway
Five of the last seven races at Pocono Raceway have been won from a top-five starting position. Only four races at
Pocono Raceway have been won from a starting position below 16th.Bud Pole Winners Galore
There have been 18 different Bud Pole winners in the last 19 races at Pocono Raceway. Qualifying was rained out
in June 2002.Pocono Streaks
• Brian Vickers has started from the top 10 in all four of his races at Pocono Raceway, the longest current streak.
• Carl Edward has scored top-five finishes in his two races at Pocono Raceway.
• Jimmie Johnson has scored eight straight top-15 finishes in his eight races at Pocono Raceway. Two of those finishes
were victories. Johnson swept both Pocono races in 2004.Owner Wins at Pocono Raceway
Car owner Rick Hendrick has scored 10 wins at Pocono Raceway, the most of any car owner. Hendrick’s victories
were scored by five different drivers: Tim Richmond (three), Jeff Gordon (three), Jimmie Johnson (two) and Terry
Labonte and Geoffrey Bodine (one each).Recent Domination at Pocono Raceway
• Kurt Busch is the only driver to lead more than one lap in both races at Pocono in 2005.
• Elliott Sadler (14), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (12), Matt Kenseth (12), Dave Blaney (12), Jimmie Johnson (eight), Scott
Riggs (four), Brian Vickers (four), Kasey Kahne (four), Carl Edwards (two) and Travis Kvapil (two) have each
been running at the finish in all of their races at Pocono.
• Jack Roush Racing won both races at Pocono in 2005 (Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch). Hendrick Motorsports
won both Pocono races in 2004 (both by Jimmie Johnson).Leading The Way at Pocono
Jeff Gordon ranks first all-time in laps led at Pocono, leading 841 laps in 26 races there. Geoffrey Bodine follows
in second with 806 laps in 39 races at Pocono.Would you Believe?
Carl Edwards started 29th and went on to victory in this race one year ago - the furthest back a race winner has
started in the 56 races at Pocono.How Slow Can You Go?
The spring race at Pocono in 2004 was run with an average speed of 112.129 mph - the second slowest race in Pocono
history. The slowest race at Pocono was the second race held there, which was won by David Pearson (1975) with an
average speed of 111.180 mph.Pocono Standouts
• Ricky Rudd had 53 career starts at Pocono Raceway, more than any other driver.
• Kyle Petty leads all full-time drivers with 47 starts at Pocono Raceway.
• Ken Schrader and Bill Elliott each scored five Bud Poles at Pocono Raceway, leading all drivers.
• Bill Elliott leads all drivers with five victories at Pocono Raceway.
• Mark Martin leads all drivers with 19 top-five finishes at Pocono Raceway.
• Mark Martin leads all drivers with 27 top-10 finishes at Pocono Raceway.
• Brian Vickers leads all active drivers with a 4.750 starting average in four races at Pocono Raceway.
• Jimmie Johnson has a 8.125 finishing average in his eight races at Pocono, the best of all active drivers with more
than two starts.Milestones
• Bobby Labonte is expected to make his 450th consecutive NASCAR NEXTEL Cup career start at Pocono
Raceway.
• Kevin Harvick is expected to make his 150th consecutive NASCAR NEXTEL Cup start at Pocono Raceway.Season Nuggets
• The point standings after 13 races one year ago had Jimmie Johnson leading Greg Biffle by 46 points. Johnson is
again the leader after 13 races in 2006, leading Matt Kenseth by 74 points.
• Only two drivers that ranked in the top-10 after Race No. 13 in 2005 failed to make the Chase (Sadler was third and
finished 13th while Harvick was 10th and finished 14th).
• After 13 races in 2006 just seven drivers are within the 400-point window. One year ago there were 13 drivers
within the 400-point window.
• After winning only three races in all of 2005, Dodge has won four of the first 13 races in 2006. Chevrolet has six
victories in 2006 while Ford has just three. One year ago Ford had six victories at this point of the season.
• Greg Biffle is the only driver who has led at least one lap in 11 of the 13 races in 2006. Biffle has earned 75 lap
leader bonus points, 45 more than point leader Jimmie Johnson who has 30.
• Ken Schrader and Reed Sorenson remain the only drivers that have competed in all 13 races that have yet to lead in
2006.
• Four of the top-10 drivers have been running at the finish in all 13 races in 2006.
• At least one rookie has scored a top-15 finish in every race this season.
• Dale Jarrett is the only driver among the top 20 in points that has not scored a top-five finish in 2006.(NASCAR Statistical Services)(6-5-2006)

Mario Batali Honorary Starter of Pocono 500: Renowned master chef, restaurateur, and media personality Mario Batali will once again be waving the green flag on June 11th at Pocono Raceway to start the Pocono 500. Mario will also be promoting his recently released officially licensed NASCAR cookbook, MARIO TAILGATES NASCAR STYLE: The Essential Cookbook for NASCAR Fans by Chef Mario Batali.(Pocono Raceway PR/Site)(6-6-2006)

Pennsylvania NASCAR Day at the Capitol: #40-David Stremme is scheduled to attend the first-ever 'Pennsylvania NASCAR Day at the Capitol,' according to Pennsylvania State Representative John Payne (R-Dauphin), Chairman of the State House's Motorsports Caucus and organizer of the June 7 event. Stremme joins Bobby Labonte and Elliott Sadler on the roster of NASCAR stars scheduled to appear at the legislative salute to NASCAR, which will be held at the State Capitol on the Wednesday prior to the Nextel Cup circuit's first stop of the season at Pocono Raceway. More than a dozen show cars representing various Nextel Cup racing teams also will be on display at the event, which is free and open to the public. Payne and his staff continue to work with team sponsors and Pocono Raceway officials to get attendance commitments from other top NASCAR drivers. Featured guests will be formally honored in the chambers of the House and Senate, beginning at 10:00a,/et, and will have the opportunity to meet Gov. Ed Rendell. From 11am to 1pm on Commonwealth Avenue outside the East Wing of the Capitol, drivers will sign autographs for fans and cars will be on display to the public. Everyone in attendance will receive one free ticket to the Saturday, June 10 ARCA race at Pocono. Also, a raffle will be held for two luxury skybox tickets to the June 11 Pocono 500 race. Joseph Mattioli, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Pocono Raceway, will be one of the featured guests and honorees at Pennsylvania NASCAR Day at the Capitol. Pennsylvania NASCAR Day at the Capitol is being sponsored by Sunoco, Goodyear, Pepsi, and Hershey's Ice Cream. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Offical NASCAR Members Club will be assisting and distributing applications to those who are interested. The Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) will provide live coverage of the event.(PR)(5-31-2006)

Resort planned at Pocono Raceway: The owner of Pocono Raceway plans to build a $50 million resort next to the track at Long Pond, replacing the proposal for a $300 million slots casino that he dropped in December. Joseph Mattioli said the 250-unit Raceway Village would be a gated community with two- and four-bedroom houses and one- and two-bedroom apartments. It would include a clubhouse with an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, theater and lounge, along with outdoor tennis and basketball courts and a bocce court. Mattioli said other Pocono amenities would benefit. He said the resort would not have a restaurant, so people would use area restaurants.(Allentown Morning Call)(5-12-2006)

Pocono not selling track or race dates: Dr. Joseph Mattioli, owner of Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Tunkhannock Township, PA, on Friday dismissed published reports that he is considering selling the NASCAR track or the rights to either or both of the two Nextel Cup races it hosts each year. A column published this week on the Internet in Yahoo Sports [NOTE: in the column the writer mentioned "While the following is just hypothesizing, there are some interesting potential scenarios:" then mentioned the possible 'sale'] noted that Bruton Smith, owner of Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Nevada, might try to buy Pocono Raceway from Mattioli. The reasoning runs that owning two racetracks would give Smith more options to schedule races and other events. Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts just one Nextel Cup race per year. Mattioli said no one has approached him recently and in any case he's not interested in selling the raceway. "No, I've never heard of that and no one has discussed it with me," Mattioli said Friday. "Why would I do that?" he added, chuckling. "It makes no sense." Speculation that Smith or other rival track owners might try to buy Pocono Raceway has persisted for years. Published reports from 1999 describe almost the same scenario that was mentioned in the online column this week. Renewed speculation on the future of the raceway ran rampant among the Poconos' political and business communities after the Yahoo column appeared this week.(Pocono Record)(2-4-2006)

Pocono Raceway retracts slots bid: Joseph Mattioli, Pocono Raceway's founder and chief executive, said he decided against applying for one of two stand-alone slots parlor licenses up for grabs statewide because rules set by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board all but eliminate family involvement in running a casino. ''None of our people would be participating, and we didn't like that,'' he said. ''You'd need gambling professionals for everything.'' Mattioli, who announced plans earlier this year to develop a $300 million hotel and casino complex to rival a similar operation at the Dover Downs track in Delaware, said his family will invest the money earmarked for the casino in another major project that ''was put on the back burner'' several years ago. He said only that it is a development project that requires the hiring of an architectural firm. An announcement would be made next year. Mattioli's Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Tunkhannock Township, hosts two NASCAR events each year, the Pocono 500 and the Pennsylvania 500. His decision to drop out of the application process leaves five announced projects competing for the two Category 2, or stand-alone, slots licenses. A Category 2 license allows for as many as 5,000 slot machines. Potential holders of a stand-alone license must submit an application and a $50 million bond by Dec. 28.(Allentown Morning Call)(12-6-2005)

NASCAR Expects 'bump' and patch to be fixed for 2006: NASCAR and Pocono officials had six weeks to fix the troublesome tunnel turn here but failed, and drivers yesterday were not a bit happy with the bumps. "It's hard to believe it's there again," Mak Martin said. John Darby, NASCAR's Nextel Cup director, said that one tunnel bump - created when the sub-base sank a bit - was repaired after the June 500 when drivers had 23 left-front tire failures. But Darby said a second bump developed since then, when the base under that part of the track also settled. That entire part of the track, Darby indicated, will have to be dug up and a new base laid and new asphalt poured before next June's race. "There is a lot of undermining of the sub-base right now created by the tunnel," Darby said. "It needs to be recompacted, so the sub-base quits moving around on us. In just the last five weeks, it has jumped around so much on us that there has been a new problem created, even after the other one was fixed."(Winston Salem Journal)(7-25-2005)

DRIVER/TEAM/TESTING NEWS

Texas Terry back in the seat: Driving a #44 Kellogg's Chevy this weekend, two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion Terry Labonte will run his first of two Pocono Raceway events in 2006. Labonte, who is running a limited schedule this season, will make his 51st career start Sunday at the unique 2.5-mile track.(Hendrick Motorsports)(6-9-2006)

Stewart plans to run full race at Pocono: from TonyStewart.com: Since you're still nursing a fractured right scapula, what are your expectations for Pocono?
Tony Stewart: "I plan to make it through the whole weekend. Every day my muscles feel like they're getting stronger, and I don't think it's a bone issue as much as it's a muscle issue. I got fitted for a new ButlerBuilt seat and we'll have it in the car for this weekend. We think it's a better design - a newer version of what I had been running. It was time to put something new in there. Brian Butler and his staff did an awesome job of accommodating me and getting a seat pumped out in a short amount of time so we would have it for Pocono, so we really appreciate their effort. I fully believe that with the new seat and another week of rest that we'll be ready to go."
TonyStewart.com: Will you have a relief driver on standby?
Tony Stewart: "We'll make that decision closer to the end of the week. But I really don't anticipate needing a relief driver. I appreciate what Ricky (Rudd) did for us last week at Dover, but he's on vacation with his family this week and I want him to enjoy his vacation. I'm confident that by the end of the week I'll be strong enough to go do the whole race at Pocono by myself."(TonyStewart.com)(6-7-2006)

Sherman to race at Pocono: from Brent Sherman diary at the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "I got a phone call Wednesday from a Nextel Cup team [Jayski: hearing it is the #72 CMJ Racing team] interested in me possibly driving for them in the Pocono race next weekend. I flew to Charlotte on Thursday to meet with the team and see if we can put some kind of deal together. It's a team that has been very realistic about its goals — and very honest and upfront in its discussions with me. They're trying out some different drivers to find a good fit. It's a team running a limited schedule the rest of the year with plans to run a full schedule next year. I don't know if it's going to lead to anything, but I know this: I'm never far from my cell phone because I don't want to miss out on an opportunity to possibly hook up with a team and a good situation. I'm going to be in Pocono next weekend anyway, to run the ARCA RE/MAX Series race with my Sherman Racing team. It would be a good, fun experience for me to maybe drive in two races in the same weekend. The ARCA race, the Pocono 200, is on Saturday, and the Nextel Cup race, the Pocono 500, is on Sunday. Qualifying for both races is on Friday, so that day could be interesting. Our Sherman Racing team is still planning on trying to qualify for the July 9 race in Chicago. I've applied for a number with NASCAR for the Chicago race. Getting a number is a pretty involved process. In NASCAR, you own your number; they don't just give you a number for a weekend. I've applied for the #04. That's my number for ARCA races. I should hear in the next couple of weeks whether I get the number for Nextel Cup, too. It would be nice to have that as my number wherever I race.(St. Paul Pioneer Press)(6-3-2006)

See the 2006 Team Chart, which has links to past news for each team and info on each team.

Mega M&M's on the #38 at Pocono: Elliott Sadler is running a special scheme this weekend on his #38 Ford Fusion sporting a special Mega M&M'S paint scheme. Mega M&M'S, a new version of the iconic color-coated candies, are on average 55 percent bigger in size than original M&M'S and come in six new hues that appeal to adults: maroon, teal, blue-gray, beige, gold and brown. With new Mega M&M'S, chocolate lovers now get more of what they love — more chocolate and more peanut in every bite.(M&M's Racing Site), see my #38 Team Schemes page for an image.(6-10-2006)

Husqvarna on the #18 at pocono: The #18 Chevy of J.J. Yeley will be carrying special colors this weekend, featuring a blue and white Husqvarna paint scheme. Sunday’s race will be the second of three events this season in which Yeley will be sponsored by Husqvarna, the Official Lawn and Garden Equipment of NASCAR. The company’s final race of the year will be the Aug. 20 GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(6-9-2006)

Carquest scheme on #5 at Pocono:: Kyle Busch's # Chevy will carry the colors of Carquest Auto Parts this weekend at Pocono Raceway. It will mark the second outing of 2006 for the Carquest paint scheme, which will appear later this season at Chicagoland Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway.(Hendrick Motorsports), see image on my #5 Team Schemes page,(6-9-2006)

NTB colors for Petty at Pocono: #45-Kyle Petty will be carrying the colors of National Tire and Battery for the second time this season. The first race with National Tire and Battery as a sponsor Petty finished eighth at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.(Moore Consulting Group/Petty Racing PR), see an image of the car on my #45 Team Schemes page.(6-6-2006)

DirecTV to sponsor RCR: NASCAR partner DIRECTV has announced an official partnership with Richard Childress Racing (RCR), one of NASCAR’s premier racing teams. Through the partnership, DIRECTV will be an associate sponsor of the #07 Jack Daniel’s Chevy and its driver, Clint Bowyer, during the 2006 Nextel Cup Series season. The association with RCR aligns DIRECTV with one of the sport’s most well-respected racing programs and one of the sport’s most exciting young drivers. DIRECTV also will be primary sponsor of the #07 Chevy at three Nextel Cup Series races this season at Martinsville (April 2), Pocono (June 11) and Talladega (October 8).
As the nation’s leading digital TV service, DIRECTV has a long history with NASCAR, though this announcement marks the company’s first official sponsorship of a Nextel Cup team. The service has become an integral part of the sport by providing millions of fans the opportunity for the most enhanced, unique NASCAR viewing experience at home and trackside. DIRECTV has also become a critical piece of racing equipment for crew chiefs, as teams up and down pit road rely on the digital picture and sound to aid spotters and monitor car performance throughout the entire race. The partnership with RCR and Clint Bowyer will enable DIRECTV to create consumer marketing and retail promotions targeting NASCAR's loyal fan base. In addition, the relationship will provide DIRECTV the opportunity to increase awareness of its new DIRECTV Plus ® DVR among race fans and emphasize current and future features that will enhance their race viewing experience.(RCR Site)(2-10-2006)

#5 Paint Scheme plans UPDATE: hearing that Kyle Busch will run a few paint schemes in 2006 besides the normal Kellogg's scheme. At Las Vegas, Busch will run the Ice Age 2 [movie] scheme. Will run a movie scheme from "Car" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May. Cheez-It at Daytona in July.
Carquest Auto Parts schemes at Darlington, both Pocono races, Chicago and Texas in November.
Delphi at Texas in April, Indy, Michigan in August and Lowe's Motor Speedway in October.(1-17-2006)Ice Age II on the #5 at Vegas: Kyle Busch's #5 Chevy will sport an "Ice Age: The Meltdown" paint scheme in this weekend's NEXTEL Cup event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The film will premiere March 31 in theaters across the country.(Hendrick Motorsports PR), see an image of the car on my #5 Team Schemes page.(3-9-2006)